They say "sharing is caring." So let me make this page a jumpoff point for all the thoughts, ideas, crafts, and creations that I share online. Because I care and I want to make a difference.

04/24/2018 - Been spending so much time enjoying retirement. Crafting here... writing there... connecting with family and friends here and there. I don't have much to add to my online portfolio right now, but rest assured, the creative juices are still flowing. Come back to updates soon.

04/29/2015 - Been working on posting a few updates in my RubyBeads blog. Today, I also refreshed my Jewelry Articles section with a piece on Designing a Bridal Necklace. Good to be posting updates again.

03/24/2015 - I'm alive! We have successfully relocated to Manila, our new homebase. As I unpack my boxes of crafting materials and tools, I welcome Pandahall.com to our roster of sponsors for my RubyBeads blog. I will be showcasing their products in future jewelry and handcrafting projects.

12/17/2014 - Wow, it has been forever since my last update. The reason is we are relocating. A major life change is in the works. All of my jewelry and crafting materials, tools, and equipment are being packed and shipped to a new base of operations.

To the folks who contacted me regarding my creations -- I apologize for not being able to fill your orders at this time. I'll catch you all on the flip side. Have a wonderful holiday season!

08/07/2014 - I finally found time to start coding my Home & Garden tutorials to upload to this website. I'm still picking up momentum so it's just a few articles for now. The plan is to upload, by the end of the year, all the 180+ how-tos that I wrote for eHow.com. Fingers crossed.

06/30/2014 - Yes, I'm back on Etsy with a ton (okay, just 27 for now) polymer clay beads and bracelets for sale. Come and visit RubyBeads on Etsy and let me know what you think. Thanks!

04/29/2014 - Another contribution to the Kremp Florist Blog: Bird Feeders: Tips for Success. Glad to have the chance to share my years of experience feeding and photographing the wild birds in our backyard.

08/11/2013 - I've uploaded a more organized set of build pages of my Lord Elrond Costume Project on my Learn-Something-New blog. Go to the summary page that lists all the costume elements separately. From the blog, you can Pin on Pinterest (which you can't do from the Facebook site).

08/07/2013 - Another achievement unlocked! I finally finished my Lord Elrond Costume Project! Took me six and a half months (whew!). The photo journal/album is currently on Facebook, but it's set to "public" so anyone can see it, even those with no Facebook accounts. If you're into costuming or cosplay, you'll want to check this out!

05/13/2013 - Inadvertently and unexpectedly, my Facebook site has become another dynamic platform for showcasing my crafts and DIY projects. Many of my posts are public (like my The Hobbit costuming projects). Check me out there: Ruby Bayan Llamas on Facebook.

02/08/2013 - The year is rolling by very quickly! Things are evolving very quickly too at my end. I've tweaked OurSimpleJoys.com a bit to allow for social media to share my work. You will notice the green "share" button close to the titles of the articles I archive here. I've also updated some pages that have gone stale over years of (my) neglect.

My latest creation is the Elrond circlet that I made for my son, who will be appearing as the snobbish elf Elrond when the second installment of The Hobbit premieres later this year.

01/03/2013 - Can you believe it? 2013! I still remember when part of my day job was to worry about the Y2K. Things have really changed since then. I just want to wish all my visitors a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Here's to new beginnings!

12/20/2012 - The Hobbit is now showing in theaters. Why is this important to me? Because my biggest handcrafting project of the year involved building a replica of the scalemail armor suit of the lead dwarf, Thorin Oakenshield. My nephew dressed up as Thorin for the press premiere of the Hobbit in Manila. Here are links to my build blog:

09/02/12 - I've been a bit delinquent in updating my What's New column. Sorry about that. Life has been so hectic. I intend to devote a huge chunk of time to roll out much-needed updates to OurSimpleJoys. Let's see if I can actually pull it off before the end of the year.

08/30/12 - I was a Star Wars Celebration first-time attendee. I had a wonderful time! Thank you, Star Wars Fandom!

04/03/12 - I'd like to thank my visitors for taking the time to drop me a note. It's heartwarming to hear from folks, total strangers, who express their appreciation for the thoughts, ideas, tips, and tutorials I share here on my site. As I always say, "Happy to help."

Wow! I really enjoyed browsing through your site! There is such gentleness and charm to it... Thanks for the info in your site, it got me to fire off a few inquiries to job postings, and it cheered me up.
-- Marinza Bruineman
www.marinza.comThank you for creating such an informative and inspiring website. I'm an aspiring writer and artist and yours is one of my favourite sites. Thanks.
-- Stacey-Ann Cole
CreativesqueI am so happy to have received the newsletter! It was a "joy" to read a newsletter that is filled with inspiration and creativity, instead of "buy this" and "buy that" info...Thank you for the reminder that the simple life is truly joyful! I'll be waiting for the next newsletter and great ideas, thank you.
Wishing you the best,
-- Mary
TimelessWriting.comHi Ruby,
I located your website about a month ago and I was delighted to find it. Of all the writers sites out there on the web, I found yours captivating. I suppose that it's the simplicity and charm of the site that attracted me to it and keeps me going back whenever I have a question. Thanks for your web presence and the gentle way in which you reach out to others.
Regards,
-- Doreen Fiorillo
www.defiorillo.8m.comHi! I emailed you a few months ago, thanking you for such an inspirational and useful Web site. Since then I have started my own Web site and am gathering local writers for a support/work group. We network and help each other find freelance work. Thanks again for your online inspiration!
Hope all is well with you!
-- Kimberley McGee
LasVegasWriter.comDear Ruby Bayan,
Your site is wonderful. You've showcased your talent and left trails for other writers to follow.Best wishes,
-- Amy Jenkins
AnthologiesOnline.comDear Ruby,
I recently found your website, and I think it's great! I'm writing to ask if you would allow me to reprint "Want to Write Non-Fiction? Get A Life!" at AbsoluteWrite.com.
... It's so refreshing to see a writer who shares so freely of her knowledge and her heart. I'm so happy to have found your website, and will visit again soon!
Take care,
-- Jenna Glatzer
Editor-in-Chief
AbsoluteWrite.com